AP Testing Still a Thing at Sidwell/GDS/Maret/Potomac/St Albans/NCS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know that a number of DC area private schools got rid of AP courses (subsequent DOJ investigation followed too)

Parent here and have noticed that while the school does not teach the "AP class" it still offers the AP test to students who want to take it if they study for the test on their own.

Other parents and I have asked college advising office and they have said "do not take the AP tests, colleges know DC private schools don't do AP so the test itself gives the kid zero benefit"

So it surprised me to see that perhaps a dozen kids are taking AP tests in a number of high-level courses in the AP subject areas at my kid's school and then to hear that the teachers are doing extra help sessions for kids taking the AP tests. I've heard the same from parents at one or two of the other DC private schools.

Is this parents being pushy? College advising office fibbing about US colleges knowing that DC schools dont offer APs? A bit of both? Or are there that many kids applying for UK colleges that require a minimum number of AP tests regardless of what DC schools decided to do?

Truly confused and sensing some mixed messaging. I mean if some kids take the AP tests then doesn't that entirely negate the "we don't have APs" narrative that these DC schools are banded together to announce two years ago to colleges?

I’m glad some teachers have the integrity to teach their students to do well in the test and cover more material and make it cohesive and comprehensive for them. Some years the AP even provides direction and scope to some of the open ended questions, so if a teacher obtained that information and did not inform the class, I’d be livid.
Scores of 5 on core subjects are very valid for testing out to the next level or a prerequisite at many top colleges. Then one can double major, do more internships, do a study abroad, etc during their 4 years at undergrad.

Do your homework yourself parents. Some Wash DC private schools are counting on your ignorance.

This.

There’s really nothing to argue about. If you like experimental progressive teaching just sign up and turn your brain off. The private schools around here get away with a lot of garbage. They cherry pick outlier studies supporting their agenda and then back up the truck. Gawd forbid if you move to another city, you and your kids will be in for a rude awakening.

Well thank the stars you are here to set us straight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know that a number of DC area private schools got rid of AP courses (subsequent DOJ investigation followed too)

Parent here and have noticed that while the school does not teach the "AP class" it still offers the AP test to students who want to take it if they study for the test on their own.

Other parents and I have asked college advising office and they have said "do not take the AP tests, colleges know DC private schools don't do AP so the test itself gives the kid zero benefit"

So it surprised me to see that perhaps a dozen kids are taking AP tests in a number of high-level courses in the AP subject areas at my kid's school and then to hear that the teachers are doing extra help sessions for kids taking the AP tests. I've heard the same from parents at one or two of the other DC private schools.

Is this parents being pushy? College advising office fibbing about US colleges knowing that DC schools dont offer APs? A bit of both? Or are there that many kids applying for UK colleges that require a minimum number of AP tests regardless of what DC schools decided to do?

Truly confused and sensing some mixed messaging. I mean if some kids take the AP tests then doesn't that entirely negate the "we don't have APs" narrative that these DC schools are banded together to announce two years ago to colleges?

I’m glad some teachers have the integrity to teach their students to do well in the test and cover more material and make it cohesive and comprehensive for them. Some years the AP even provides direction and scope to some of the open ended questions, so if a teacher obtained that information and did not inform the class, I’d be livid.
Scores of 5 on core subjects are very valid for testing out to the next level or a prerequisite at many top colleges. Then one can double major, do more internships, do a study abroad, etc during their 4 years at undergrad.

Do your homework yourself parents. Some Wash DC private schools are counting on your ignorance.

This.

There’s really nothing to argue about. If you like experimental progressive teaching just sign up and turn your brain off. The private schools around here get away with a lot of garbage. They cherry pick outlier studies supporting their agenda and then back up the truck. Gawd forbid if you move to another city, you and your kids will be in for a rude awakening.

Well thank the stars you are here to set us straight.

It’s your choice to be ignorant about a range of your school’s k-12 educational things or not to be. Your choice!

[Anonymous]

Still those schools will have the best college placement. Our choice.

[Anonymous]

I just went through revisit days for private and boarding schools for my rising 9th grader. All have eliminated AP classes recently, but "offer" AP exams to students who "wish" to take them. The schools don't seem to be recommending kids take AP exams for boosting college admissions per se. One college counselor gave one theoretical example of a potential benefit in taking an AP exam, for example, in chemistry, as a proxy for demonstrating adequate quantitative skills if the kid opted to go SAT/ACT optional for whatever reason. Having said that, all these schools had a brutal college admissions year, so I don't think anyone know if taking AP tests matter at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know that a number of DC area private schools got rid of AP courses (subsequent DOJ investigation followed too)

Parent here and have noticed that while the school does not teach the "AP class" it still offers the AP test to students who want to take it if they study for the test on their own.

Other parents and I have asked college advising office and they have said "do not take the AP tests, colleges know DC private schools don't do AP so the test itself gives the kid zero benefit"

So it surprised me to see that perhaps a dozen kids are taking AP tests in a number of high-level courses in the AP subject areas at my kid's school and then to hear that the teachers are doing extra help sessions for kids taking the AP tests. I've heard the same from parents at one or two of the other DC private schools.

Is this parents being pushy? College advising office fibbing about US colleges knowing that DC schools dont offer APs? A bit of both? Or are there that many kids applying for UK colleges that require a minimum number of AP tests regardless of what DC schools decided to do?

Truly confused and sensing some mixed messaging. I mean if some kids take the AP tests then doesn't that entirely negate the "we don't have APs" narrative that these DC schools are banded together to announce two years ago to colleges?

I’m glad some teachers have the integrity to teach their students to do well in the test and cover more material and make it cohesive and comprehensive for them. Some years the AP even provides direction and scope to some of the open ended questions, so if a teacher obtained that information and did not inform the class, I’d be livid.
Scores of 5 on core subjects are very valid for testing out to the next level or a prerequisite at many top colleges. Then one can double major, do more internships, do a study abroad, etc during their 4 years at undergrad.

Do your homework yourself parents. Some Wash DC private schools are counting on your ignorance.

This.

There’s really nothing to argue about. If you like experimental progressive teaching just sign up and turn your brain off. The private schools around here get away with a lot of garbage. They cherry pick outlier studies supporting their agenda and then back up the truck. Gawd forbid if you move to another city, you and your kids will be in for a rude awakening.

And yet the students are very well prepared for rigorous college programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know that a number of DC area private schools got rid of AP courses (subsequent DOJ investigation followed too)

Parent here and have noticed that while the school does not teach the "AP class" it still offers the AP test to students who want to take it if they study for the test on their own.

Other parents and I have asked college advising office and they have said "do not take the AP tests, colleges know DC private schools don't do AP so the test itself gives the kid zero benefit"

So it surprised me to see that perhaps a dozen kids are taking AP tests in a number of high-level courses in the AP subject areas at my kid's school and then to hear that the teachers are doing extra help sessions for kids taking the AP tests. I've heard the same from parents at one or two of the other DC private schools.

Is this parents being pushy? College advising office fibbing about US colleges knowing that DC schools dont offer APs? A bit of both? Or are there that many kids applying for UK colleges that require a minimum number of AP tests regardless of what DC schools decided to do?

Truly confused and sensing some mixed messaging. I mean if some kids take the AP tests then doesn't that entirely negate the "we don't have APs" narrative that these DC schools are banded together to announce two years ago to colleges?

I’m glad some teachers have the integrity to teach their students to do well in the test and cover more material and make it cohesive and comprehensive for them. Some years the AP even provides direction and scope to some of the open ended questions, so if a teacher obtained that information and did not inform the class, I’d be livid.
Scores of 5 on core subjects are very valid for testing out to the next level or a prerequisite at many top colleges. Then one can double major, do more internships, do a study abroad, etc during their 4 years at undergrad.

Do your homework yourself parents. Some Wash DC private schools are counting on your ignorance.

This.

There’s really nothing to argue about. If you like experimental progressive teaching just sign up and turn your brain off. The private schools around here get away with a lot of garbage. They cherry pick outlier studies supporting their agenda and then back up the truck. Gawd forbid if you move to another city, you and your kids will be in for a rude awakening.

And yet the students are very well prepared for rigorous college programs.

What rigorous programs and rigorous majors are you referring to? Do they get knowledge and skills for a rigorous job and career or is the goal immediate grad school for these rigorous students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just went through revisit days for private and boarding schools for my rising 9th grader. All have eliminated AP classes recently, but "offer" AP exams to students who "wish" to take them. The schools don't seem to be recommending kids take AP exams for boosting college admissions per se. One college counselor gave one theoretical example of a potential benefit in taking an AP exam, for example, in chemistry, as a proxy for demonstrating adequate quantitative skills if the kid opted to go SAT/ACT optional for whatever reason. Having said that, all these schools had a brutal college admissions year, so I don't think anyone know if taking AP tests matter at all.

Whelp, we know that good scores can get you out of some pre-reqs or intro classes.

We don’t know what a range of colleges (state, stem, slac, Ivy) thinks or will do. Guess you’ll have to apply to colleges similar in culture, size and attitude as your DC private school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know that a number of DC area private schools got rid of AP courses (subsequent DOJ investigation followed too)

Parent here and have noticed that while the school does not teach the "AP class" it still offers the AP test to students who want to take it if they study for the test on their own.

Other parents and I have asked college advising office and they have said "do not take the AP tests, colleges know DC private schools don't do AP so the test itself gives the kid zero benefit"

So it surprised me to see that perhaps a dozen kids are taking AP tests in a number of high-level courses in the AP subject areas at my kid's school and then to hear that the teachers are doing extra help sessions for kids taking the AP tests. I've heard the same from parents at one or two of the other DC private schools.

Is this parents being pushy? College advising office fibbing about US colleges knowing that DC schools dont offer APs? A bit of both? Or are there that many kids applying for UK colleges that require a minimum number of AP tests regardless of what DC schools decided to do?

Truly confused and sensing some mixed messaging. I mean if some kids take the AP tests then doesn't that entirely negate the "we don't have APs" narrative that these DC schools are banded together to announce two years ago to colleges?

I’m glad some teachers have the integrity to teach their students to do well in the test and cover more material and make it cohesive and comprehensive for them. Some years the AP even provides direction and scope to some of the open ended questions, so if a teacher obtained that information and did not inform the class, I’d be livid.
Scores of 5 on core subjects are very valid for testing out to the next level or a prerequisite at many top colleges. Then one can double major, do more internships, do a study abroad, etc during their 4 years at undergrad.

Do your homework yourself parents. Some Wash DC private schools are counting on your ignorance.

This.

There’s really nothing to argue about. If you like experimental progressive teaching just sign up and turn your brain off. The private schools around here get away with a lot of garbage. They cherry pick outlier studies supporting their agenda and then back up the truck. Gawd forbid if you move to another city, you and your kids will be in for a rude awakening.

And yet the students are very well prepared for rigorous college programs.

What rigorous programs and rigorous majors are you referring to? Do they get knowledge and skills for a rigorous job and career or is the goal immediate grad school for these rigorous students?

Rigor is a meaningless term misused by folks thumping their chest about their choices.

[Anonymous]

Say elite if you like. The kids do well. Sorry you find that so upsetting. I hope your kids are doing well, too. There are many paths to success, no one “right” curriculum, no matter what experts may try to sell us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exeter has never had AP or IB courses. Their students do fine.

>snort<

They’re Exeter.

The Spence school in NYC got rid of APs in the 1980s. Their students do fine too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Still those schools will have the best college placement. Our choice.

Yes, because they have donors kids, legacies, kids in $$$$$ recruitable sports (I.e. fencing and squash), and can altogether cherry pick their students. In DC they also pluck the most talented URM kids by high school.

You didn’t think too hard on that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still those schools will have the best college placement. Our choice.

Yes, because they have donors kids, legacies, kids in $$$$$ recruitable sports (I.e. fencing and squash), and can altogether cherry pick their students. In DC they also pluck the most talented URM kids by high school.

You didn’t think too hard on that one.

well, then you should be happy your kid is at a public school taking 12-15 AP classes. One less kid to compete with. Or maybe you're on this crusade because you realize that 12-15 AP classes got your kid the same result as another kid who took 0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Say elite if you like. The kids do well. Sorry you find that so upsetting. I hope your kids are doing well, too. There are many paths to success, no one “right” curriculum, no matter what experts may try to sell us.

Pls provide some examples of rigor.

Pls provide some examples of “doing well” and in what context (classroom, tests, ugrad grades in tough subjects, on the job).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Say elite if you like. The kids do well. Sorry you find that so upsetting. I hope your kids are doing well, too. There are many paths to success, no one “right” curriculum, no matter what experts may try to sell us.

Agree. That’s why defining rigor and success is important to your claims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought UC schools also give a GPA bump for Honors courses.

“Nonresidents:

UC will grant honors weight for AP or IB courses and transferable college courses only, but not for school-designated honors courses. The weight is given to letter grades of A, B, or C.”

Why didn't my kid's school tell me about this? Kid is in one of the top 3. Asked college office multiple times whether kids should take AP tests and was told "no, unless UK is your plan" - now I find out that UC schools do bump GPAs for this. For the amount of money we pay for these schools, it would be nice if someone in college office could give an accurate answer that reflects the full picture given how many kids from the DC schools that dropped AP classes apply to the UC system

The college advising experience so far at our school (Big 3) has seemed like a bunch of nice nice talk, everything geared towards the middle kids, and especially geared at not painting full picture to protect us and kid from any stress. I'd much rather they tell parents and kids the truth and how to work the reality of hard admissions where you are judged against a NATIONAL pool of kids.

This AP test thing is but one example. I'm sure a chorus of "rich parent complaining blah blah" will now start in reply to this post

BTW One can look to see admit rates at UC's by high school - https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/about-us/information-center/admissions-source-school
For class starting Fall '21

Wilson HS (where AP courses are taught): 54 applied; 39 got in (UC wide) - 72%
Sidwell: 28 applied; 17 got in - 60%
GDS: 30 applied; 16 got in - 53%
NCS: 15 applied; 6 got in - 40%

Of course not all UC's are the same. But if your computed GPA is goosed by AP classes and the kid took a bunch of honors courses that would have easily allowed sitting for the AP, I'm honestly shocked that this school (a big 3) didnt tell parents - i was on multiple zooms with college office where this question about AP was explicitly asked and it was always denied to help other than UK admit process. What utter bs